Saint Luke’s Health System (SLHS) includes 16 hospitals, home care, hospice, behavioral health services, and physician practices across Missouri and Kansas. The health system receives 49,200 Release of Information (ROI) requests annually. As SLHS continues to expand, their HIM management team, led by Sharon Korzdorfer, Health Information Management (HIM) Director, is committed to delivering the highest quality health information services to its patients, who may request information concerning care provided by SLHS.

In 2018, Korzdorfer realized that in order to respond to a rise in monthly ROI request volumes compliantly and efficiently, they needed advanced technology and services. After evaluating multiple vendors, SLHS selected MRO to handle Protected Health Information (PHI) disclosure management across the enterprise. Their decision was based on several factors, including MRO’s dedication to clients, patients and other third-party requesters, layers of support from responsive teams of experts, and the ability to leverage technology to improve workflow. MRO’s reputation as a true partner to providers was also a key factor.

“Reputation goes a long way,” said Korzdorfer. “Sales teams can sell anything, but what I have heard consistently from my HIM peers is that MRO always comes to the table prepared to meet and exceed expectations.”

SLHS implemented MRO’s flagship Release of Information platform, ROI Online®, along with MROeLink®, a bidirectional interface between the ROI solution and the health system’s Epic EHR.

The MROeLink tool automates manual steps for working in both an ROI system and the Epic EHR. Eliminating manual processes reduces the time needed to process requests and minimizes human error. SLHS leadership knew a system integration method would be a vital component in improving efficiencies and accuracy.

In addition to enhancing the ROI workflow through MROeLink, MRO introduced ways to further improve productivity and service quality, including implementing new processes for responding to the rising tide of payer audits and reviews, such as HEDIS and Medicare Risk Adjustment, by shifting requester relations and correspondence to MRO’s National Service Center.

Improved Customer Experience

As a result of improved workflows, technology integrations, and moving requester relations to MRO’s service center, SLHS reports reduced requester complaints, reflecting improvements in the patient and requester experience.

The Results

Through a partnership with MRO, SLHS saw impressive results, including improvements to turnaround times for ambulatory requests, continued high accuracy levels and an improved customer experience for patients and other requesters of PHI.

Korzdorfer said, “Throughout my experience with the company—from sales, through implementation and training, to the current operational partnership—MRO’s industry experts have been accessible, responsive, communicative and eager to help. It is so refreshing that MRO cares.”

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